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Dundee Rep Ensemble and Selladoor Productions in association with Noisemaker, today announced a new musical adventure bringing to life Scotland’s favourite comic strip scamp DC Thomson Media’s Oor Wullie. The world premiere stage show opens at the Dundee Rep Theatre from 23 Nov – 05 Jan before touring across Scotland with dates at Theatre Royal, Glasgow from 21 – 25 January 2020. Tickets on sale soon.

Oor Wullie has featured in DC Thomson Media comic strips in the Sunday Post for over 80 years, earning him the title of ‘Scotland’s Favourite Son’ in a public vote in 2004. The iconic laddie from Auchenshoogle is much loved for his big heart, constant war against boredom and his mischievous energetic pranks which often land him in a scrape or two! Now you can see the spiky-haired scallywag live on stage as he embarks on an adventure with pals Fat Boab, Soapy Soutar, Wee Eck, and the rest of the Sunday Post gang – the only question is; where’s his bucket?!

In their 80th anniversary year Dundee Rep is one of Scotland’s most awarded theatres and the only theatre in Scotland to have a permanent company of actors, established 20 years ago as the Dundee Rep Ensemble. Oor Wullie will be directed by Dundee Rep’s Artistic Director Andrew Panton, and adapted for stage by Noisemaker whose previous collaborations include the hugely successful The Snow Queen in 2018 and a brand new musical premiering in the US this Spring Hi, My Name is Ben.

Oor Wullie also marks an ongoing partnership with the internationally acclaimed Selladoor Worldwide who recently commissioned and produced another DC Thomson Media favourite The Broons directed by Andrew Panton in their 2016 critically acclaimed tour.

Noisemaker’s Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie tell us: “We’re very excited to be bringing Scotland’s Oor Wullie to the stage in this unique collaboration between DC Thomson, Selladoor and Dundee Rep. Like so many of us, we grew up reading Wullie’s stories and they’ve remained a treasured part of our childhood. But the enduring appeal of “Oor Wullie” is that he doesn’t remain in the past; the comic has changed and adapted across its 80-year history, heralding Wullie not only as a figure of tradition, but also of Scotland today. We’re thrilled to be bringing his latest adventure to Dundee this Christmas, and to continue our ongoing relationship with the Rep.”

Andrew Panton, Artistic Director at Dundee Rep says: “Oor Wullie is a character that immediately connects with Dundee. I’m thrilled that as part of our anniversary season we’ll be once more collaborating with Noisemaker to bring this story to life on stage at the Rep – surely the only stage he could start this new adventure?”

David Hutchinson, CEO of Selladoor Productions says: “We couldn’t be happier to follow our production of The Broons working in partnership with such a fabulous creative team and theatre to share a story of the superbly observed and fantastically funny Wullie. He and his gang hold a very special place in many hearts with a history spanning generations and we can’t wait for what promises to be a memorable night at the theatre for the whole family”.

Priority Tickets go on sale to ‘Friends’ of Dundee Rep on Monday 18th March and general sale on Tuesday 19th March across the tour. See listings for booking details and join the cheeky chap who will prove that even at 80-years old he’s still Oor Wullie! Your Wullie! A’body’s Wullie!

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A rare treat is coming soon for Glasgow-based fans of musical theatre, as new performing arts company Green Door Theatre bring the darkly comic and rarely-performed musical Assassins to Websters Theatre from 4th-6th April.

A five-time Tony Award-winner, Assassins takes a look at the men and women of American history who took their shot at the big time and tried to assassinate a sitting President — with varying degrees of deadly success. Brought together by Stephen Sondheim’s signature style and a phenomenal script by Emmy and Tony-winning writer John Weidman (Pacific Overtures, Anything Goes, Sesame Street), nine villains take aim in the name of love, rage, patriotism and the promise of the American Dream.

With time periods, gunshots and executions aplenty, Assassins is a complex and intriguing show that’s not often attempted, let alone tackled by a new company. So why have Green Door picked it as their first?

“All of our founding members have been making amateur theatre in Glasgow in some capacity over the last eight years,” producer Rachel Thomson explains, “and when we came together to start Green Door, there was just something about the challenge and excitement of Sondheim’s shows that made them feel like the right place to start. Couple that with being able to do something that nobody in Glasgow has done for years, in the crazy political time we’re now living in, and we thought it would be a great way to start with a… bang. Pun intended!”

New in name they might be, but those in charge of steering this complex production are far from inexperienced. Musical director Erik Igelström has been at the helm of multiple recent acclaimed Glasgow productions including On The Town (Glasgow Music Theatre) and Spring Awakening (Glasgow Live Productions). Assistant director and choreographer Marion Baird is the owner of the thriving Dance Glasgow studios in the west end and city centre, and has over ten years of experience choreographing for high quality theatre and dance shows across Glasgow.

Bringing their combined experience together, Green Door promise audiences for Assassins an evening that’s equal parts gripping and entertaining. Bold, original, and alarmingly funny, it might be the most timely musical for a Western world this divided, and for a Scotland trying to grasp it all from the side lines.

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Scottish Opera Young Company (formerly Connect Company) is returning to The Beacon in Greenock this April to perform one of Gluck’s most popular and enduring works: Orfeo & Euridice.

The Company, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018, takes to the stage at The Beacon on April 6 and 7, following the success of its production of Dido and Aeneas there in 2017.

New Artistic Director Jonathon Swinard conducts the young performers, who are aged 16 to 23, and professional singers Daniel Keating-Roberts (The Cabinet of Dr Caligari 2016) as Orfeo and Jessica Leary (Pop-up Opera 2018) as Euridice. A dancer from Dance Studio Scotland at Glasgow Clyde College also joins the cast. Opera and theatre director Caroline Clegg makes her Scottish Opera debut, and designer Finlay McLay (Dido and Aeneas 2017) returns as designer.

Based on the myth of Orpheus, Gluck’s Orfeo & Euridice — at one moment full of fury, the next clear and pure — tells the tale of one man’s determination to defy the gods and rescue his lover from Hades. But can he resist temptation long enough to save her?

Jane Davidson, Scottish Opera’s Director of Education and Outreach said: ‘Gluck’s Orfeo & Euridice was a real game changer in terms of the narrative development of the art form of opera, as we recognise it today. As artistically revelatory and thought-provoking for audiences in 1774 as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton is for contemporary theatre-goers, and featuring one of the loveliest and best known arias in the operatic repertoire (‘Che farò senza Euridice’), this might just be the ultimate, universal tale of boy meets girl, boy loses, and then finds girl again.’

Jonathon Swinard, Scottish Opera Young Company Artistic Director said: ‘It is a privilege to be the new Artistic Director of the Scottish Opera Young Company and I’m hugely looking forward to conducting Gluck’s Orfeo & Euridice this April. Curiously, this piece was actually the first opera I ever worked on as a young repetiteur at the age of 18. Fast-forward a few years, and it is a lovely feeling to be rehearsing this work with the exceedingly talented members of the Scottish Opera Young Company, many of whom are also gaining their first real stage experience through this wonderful piece.’

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Currently playing in London’s West End, the producers of 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL have announced the musical will play the King’s Theatre, Glasgow from Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 October 2019. Casting will be announced soon.

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL features a book by Patricia Resnick, the legendary film’s original screenwriter, and an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton. It tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy – three workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. Concocting a plan to kidnap and turn the tables on their despicable supervisor, will the women manage to reform their office – or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit? Inspired by the cult film this hilarious new West End production is about teaming up, standing up and taking care of business!

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL is written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, choreography by Lisa Stevens, design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Poti Martin, video design by Nina Dunn, original arrangements by Stephen Oremus & Alex Lacamoire, original Broadway orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, musical supervisor, reductions & extra arrangements by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe.

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Lesley Joseph will join the cast for the Glasgow run of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical comedy, CALENDAR GIRLS The Musical, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play.

Lesley will play Jessie from Tuesday 11 – Saturday 22 June at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow and for all other dates in the UK tour until in Saturday 10 August when Ruth Madoc returns to the role.

Although perhaps best known for playing Dorien Green in the ITV sitcom Birds of a Feather, alongside Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, Lesley has a wealth of theatrical experience to her credit. Most recently she starred as Frau Blücher in Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein at the Garrick Theatre, a role which earned her an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

Lesley’s other notable theatre credits include Miss Hannigan in Annie (West End and UK Tour), Chris in the play of Calendar Girls (UK Tour), The Vagina Monologues (West End and UK Tour), and Kathleen in Sir Peter Hall’s production of Home (Theatre Royal Bath).

On television, Lesley played Rachel Culgrin in ITV’s Night and Day for nearly two years. Other TV appearances include Rumble with Brian Glover, Easy Money, Spywatch, Minder, Roots, and The Knowledge to name a few. She played Green Beryl in Channel 5’s series The Secret of Eel Island, and guest starred as Erica in BBC’s The Slammer.

Leslie has also appeared in scores of light entertainment shows. She had a regular spot as glamour correspondent on GMTV, and presented ITV’s Wish You Were Here…?. In 2016, Lesley was partnered with Anton du Beke on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Lesley joins the previously announced cast starring Sarah Jane Buckley (Blood Brothers and Kathy Barnes in Hollyoaks) as Annie, Sue Devaney (the soon to be seen new Russell T. Davies series Years and Years, Jane in Dinnerladies, Liz Harker in Casualty, Scots comedian Karen Dunbar as Cora, Julia Hills (Doctor Kemp in Broadchurch, Annabelle Shrivener in The Archers) as Ruth, Judy Holt (Cold Feet, Scott & Bailey) as Marie and Lisa Maxwell (panellist on Loose Women, Tracey Donovan in Hollyoaks, Samantha Nixon in The Bill and various roles in The Les Dennis Laughter Show and The Russ Abbot Show) as Celia. The new cast will make their debut at Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, on 23 April 2019.

Rebecca Storm will continue to play Chris.

Also in the cast are Phil Corbitt as John, Ian Mercer as Rod, Sebastian Abineri as Colin, Alan Stocks as Denis, Derek Elroy as Lawrence, Pauline Daniels as Lady Cravenshire, Ellie Leah as Miss Wilson, Danny Howker as Danny, Isabel Caswell as Jenny and Tyler Dobbs as Tommo.

The critically acclaimed and award-winning production played a six-month London season at the Phoenix Theatre in 2017, and, before that, this musical comedy played sold-out seasons in Leeds and Manchester.

Gary Barlow and Tim Firth grew up in the same village in the North of England and have been friends for 25 years. With Take That, Gary has written and co-written 14 number one singles, has sold over 50 million records worldwide and is a six times Ivor Novello Award winner. Tim has won the Olivier Award and UK Theatre Award for Best New Musical, and the British Comedy Awards Best Comedy Film for Calendar Girls.

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL is inspired by the true story of a group of ladies, who decide to appear nude for a Women’s Institute calendar in order to raise funds to buy a settee for their local hospital, in memory of one of their husbands, and have to date raised almost £5million for Bloodwise. This musical comedy shows life in their Yorkshire village, how it happened, the effect on husbands, sons and daughters, and how a group of ordinary ladies achieved something extraordinary.

Bloodwise, the UK’s specialist blood cancer charity, will continue to receive monies from this production.

CALENDAR GIRLS The Musical is directed by Matt Ryan and designed by Robert Jones, with comedy staging by Jos Houben, movement by Lucy Hind and casting by Sarah Bird.

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Sir Thomas Allen’s five-star production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute returns to Scottish Opera in May, set in a spectacular world inspired by the Victorian futurism of HG Wells and Jules Verne.

Mozart’s most inventive opera, featuring a handsome prince, a damsel in distress, sorcerers, priests and a bumbling bird-catcher, opens at Theatre Royal Glasgow on Saturday 4 May, and tours to Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, London and Belfast. With set and costume design by Simon Higlett, this production takes inspiration from the city of Glasgow at the height of its industrial powers, drawing on the aesthetics and ideas of the Enlightenment, particularly the work of the Hunter family and the huge scientific collections of The Hunterian Museum.

Conductor Tobias Ringborg (The Marriage of Figaro 2016) is joined by Peter Gijsbertsen (La traviata 2017) as Tamino and Gemma Summerfield, First Prize winner at the 2015 Kathleen Ferrier Awards, as Pamina. Richard Burkhard is Papageno, the role he created in the original production in 2012; Julia Sitkovetsky is Queen of the Night; James Creswell is Sarastro and Adrian Thompson is Monostatos. Scottish Opera Emerging Artist, Sofia Troncoso (Opera Highlights 2018), sings the role of Papagena.

Sir Thomas Allen said: ‘Our production of The Magic Flute, first created in 2012, makes its return to the stage and to theatres around Scotland. I’m looking forward with great anticipation to the rehearsal period and to the performances that follow. There are many changes from our original cast, but one welcome return will be that of Richard Burkhard in the role of Papageno. He brought to the part a really brilliant personal way of playing, just as one would hope for Papageno, and our collaboration was, apart from all else, a lot of fun.

‘As for what you will see, well, if you are familiar with Glasgow and the richness of its constituent parts, then you will recognise all of the references in this show. It is a tribute by designer Simon Higlett and myself to a great Scottish city.’

There will be two Dementia Friendly performances of The Magic Flute, in Glasgow and Edinburgh. These specially abridged performances are carefully designed to make the theatrical experience more accessible to people living with dementia. Sound and lighting levels are adjusted for the comfort of the audience, and the cast is joined on stage by a narrator. Audiences will also be able to go in and out of the auditorium during the performance and see the show in the foyer areas on TV screens. Scottish Opera staged the UK’s first Dementia Friendly opera performance in November 2016, with The Marriage of Figaro at Festival Theatre Edinburgh.

Those who wish to discover more about how the production was created can attend The Magic Flute Unwrapped, one-hour tasters delving further into the show, as well as Pre-show Talks. Audience members with visual impairments can enjoy the full opera experience at audio-described performances, which have a live commentary describing the action on stage without compromising the music.

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Four Glasgow playwrights have teamed up to present a quartet of plays as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival next month. Short Attention Span Theatre is a method of theatre which delivers exactly what it says on the tin: short dramas for those with short attention spans as well as those who like to experience a variety of works in one evening.

Karen Barclay, Tom Brogan, Catriona Duggan, and Chris McQueer will each debut a brand new play to audiences in CCA on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 March.

Barclay’s Mortified aims to get to the root of whether or not a person can actually die from embarrassment, while McQueer’s Last Cantells the tale of a couple living in post-apocalyptic Glasgow when Lou discovers John has stashed the world’s last can of Irn-Bru for himself.

Karen Barclay

Duggan’s When The Penny Drops centres around a school teacher who has found the perfect way to deal with the stresses of the job, and Brogan’s Delivery sees a failed comedian confronted by a pupil in his stand-up comedy class.

Tom Brogan

Five local actors will take on multiple roles in the four plays, continuing the Short Attention Span Theatre trope of performing with a small and tight-knit cast. Regulars Mairi Davidson, Johanna Harper, Kat Harrison, and Grant McDonald will be joined by John Love to keep audiences entertained during the two-night run.

Chris McQueer

Writer Chris McQueer, author of the acclaimed Hings, Leathered, and HWFG, said: “I’ve only just got my head around describing myself as an author, so to try my hand at drama and put on a playwright hat for the first time has been a bit of a challenge – but it’s been great fun. I can’t wait for the performances as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, and for audiences to see these four brilliant plays for the first time.”

Catriona Duggan

Catriona Duggan, who drew on her own experience as a school teacher to bring her play to life, said: “I’ve written for Short Attention Span Theatre a few times before and it’s always been a really wonderful and rewarding experience, but knowing you’re writing something which is going to be performed as part of the Comedy Festival is just a whole new level of excitement! I was really chuffed to be asked to be part of the writing crew for this event and I’m sure the cast will deliver fantastic shows for our audiences.”

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Mayfesto is the Tron’s mini-festival of edgy and provocative new work and with the world around us seemingly forever on a knife-edge, they present a cavalcade of escape artists. Fierce woman at home and abroad tear apart their societal constraints, lone adventurers strike out in environs new and dreamers to carry us down the rabbit hole and off to karaoke.
Eve Nicol and Andy Edwards are the Resident Artists for the festival, with Eve directing a brand-new work for Scotland, The Mistress Contract (1-11 May), which sets out to establish clear cut rules of engagement between the sexes in a complicated world of blurred lines and grey areas. Inspired by the memoir of real-life couple, SHE and HE, Abi Morgan’s play is bruisingly candid. Andy Edward’s work-in-progress piece, Arketype (24 & 25 May, 8pm) is a tragic-comic revisioning of Noah’s Ark – a retelling of the famous flood myth against a contemporary world of rising sea levels and men whose boats we don’t need.

Amid the current political climate, Johnny McKnight reworks Dario Fo’s hilarious 70s farce, Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay! as Low Pay? Don’t Pay! (2-11 May) where the action moves to Glasgow and a group of women lose patience with low pay and rising prices and take direct action. Gav Prentice, fresh from a residency with the National Theatre of Scotland presents his first play, Turn the Night (10 & 11 May), bringing the sounds of a real night out into the theatre. Apphia Campbell’s Woke (15 & 16 May), set against a powerful soundtrack of original music and traditional gospel and blues, focuses on two women, 42 years apart who become involved in the struggle for human rights and Electrolyte (15 -18 May) is WILDCARD’s multi-award-winning piece of gig theatre that powerfully explores mental health.

There is a piece for younger audiences this Mayfesto, in the shape of Imaginate and Stellar Quines’ This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (17 & 18 May). This new play suitable for ages 7yrs+ is an empowering contemporary fairytale about determination, friendship and the ups and downs of growing older. They’res also the Fringe First-winning Status (24 & 25 May), scratch performance from ThickSkin, AWOL (30 & 31 May), the latest rehearsed reading in Fire Exit’s Pyromania programme, Tomorrow, Under Snow (28 May) and a visually sumptuous version of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (29 May – 1 June) from Ireland’s longest running theatre ensemble Blue Raincoat (Shackleton, The Third Policeman).

In the words of resident artist Andy Edwards: “This Mayfesto is a programme of dreams, plots and plans. Chances to escape what you already know, what you already think.you can only escape to come back, but can we return with fresh purpose, open hands, new ideas – ready to go again?”

This year’s Mayfesto is a brilliant opportunity to escape and enjoy the very best in new engaged and engaging work that the Tron and their visiting company partners have to offer.

From the creator of the hit show Black Is The Color Of My Voice comes a new story about the 20th Century African American experience. Woke won the coveted Scotsman Fringe First Award for its premiere season and was highly commended by the judges of the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award.

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Known as one of the greatest tributes to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. This outstanding musical quartet has already taken 2019 by storm, kick-starting the year with a one-off performance on the beautiful island of Tenerife. And now with their Blackpool residency in full swing, as well as their 2019 UK tour, there is no stopping this talented group.

Adding an original twist to the phenomenal Jersey Boys’ theatre production, this four-piece powerhouse will take you through a nostalgic journey of the famous sights and sounds of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. All hosted by the outrageous Leye D Johns. A theatrical legend in his own right, Leye has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years with residencies up and down the North West and beyond, making him no stranger to a packed-out theatre always bringing plenty of laughter, never leaving anyone disappointed.

Now in their fourth successful year at Viva Blackpool, the talented quartet is set to rock the UK in their 2019 tour that started in Leye D John’s old stomping ground of sunny Tenerife earlier this year. Welcomed on the sunny Canary Islands with open arms, Jersey Beats – Oh What a Nite performed to a sell-out theatre, making the show an international touring production.

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Eastwood Park Theatre will bring the National Theatre to Giffnock as part of their project ‘NT Live’, which broadcasts world-class theatre across the UK.

Three NT Live performances are lined up this season, featuring renowned, award-winning actors including Gillian Anderson, Sally Field and Bill Pullman.

First on the line-up will be All About Eve, starring Gillian Anderson (X Files) and Lily James (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), streamed live to Eastwood Park Theatre on Thursday 11 April, followed by Arthur Miller’s All My Sons on 28 May and Andrea Levy’s Small Island on 11 July.

Anthony McReavy from East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure, said: “National Theatre Live has been experienced by over five million people around the world so we’re excited to bring this concept to our local audience, featuring some of the best productions, with top class casts and performances. We have upgraded our cinema screen and technology with a new Panasonic Laser projector, screen and surround sound system to maximise the viewing experience of the National Theatre productions.

Each broadcast is filmed in front of a live audience in London’s West End with cameras positioned around the auditorium to ensure that our audience at Eastwood Park will enjoy the best possible experience of the show.

All About Eve will broadcast live from the West End in London, lifting the lid on a world of jealousy and ambition. This new production is from one of the world’s most innovative theatre directors, Ivo van Hove and asks why our fascination with celebrity, youth and identity never gets old.

Arthur Miller’s All My Sons will be filmed live at The Old Vic in London, starring Academy Award-winner Sally Field (Steel Magnolias, Brothers and Sisters) and Bill Pullman (The Sinner, Independence Day) and comes to Eastwood Park Theatre on 28 May.

The third show, Small Island, is a new theatre adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Orange Prize-winning novel featuring a company of 40 actors who will be filmed live on stage as part of National Theatre Live’s 10th birthday, coming to Eastwood Park on 11 July.

Tickets cost £15 standard and students can attend for £12 for All About Eve and All My Sons. Tickets for Small Island are priced at £12 standard and students can attend for £10. Visit www.eastwoodparktheatre.co.uk/boxoffice or call 0141 577 4956.